RESUMO
Background: Herbal medicines are being widely used and likely to cause side effects and interactions with allopathic drugs
Objective: To assess knowledge, attitude and use of herbal medicines among patients in the Northern Border Area of Saudi Arabia
Methodology: A cross sectional study was carried out among 445 patients attending outpatient departments of tertiary care health units in Arar city of Saudi Arabia from 1[st] November 2015 to 31[st] March 2016. Besides demographic data, information regarding knowledge, attitude and use of herbal medicines was obtained using predesigned questionnaire. Response to various questions was analyzed with SPSS program version 16. Data was further analyzed by using chi-square test
Results: A significant percentage of patients were familiar with herbal medicine use [93.7 %]. Male patients has more knowledge of herbal medicines than females [P = 0.024]. High proportion of patients were personally using herbs [93.6 %], mostly in relatively lower income families. Almost 90% Physicians don't ask history of herbal medicines consumption. Only 5% of patients were taking herbal medicine prescribed by Hakeem [Authorized Physician]. Persons [parents and grandparents] were prescribing herbal medicines
Conclusion: The residents of Saudi Arabia [Northern Region, Arar] have shown high usage of herbal medicine, additionally its awareness was high
RESUMO
Background: Syzygium aromaticum is commonly known as clove. It is being used since centuries for different purposes in different parts of the world
Objective: To explore the effects of Syzygium Aromaticum, its effects on the liver enzymes
Methodology: This Randomized Control Trial was conducted in Postgraduate Laboratory and Animal House of ISRA University. 30 Healthy Rabbits weighing 2kg on average were divided into 3 equal groups. Group A was taken as control group having no intervention while group B was given paracetamol 500mg BD for 10 days followed by Syzygium Aromaticum powder 100mg BD for next 10 days. Group C was given paracetamol 500mg BD and Syzygium Aromaticum powder 100mg BD for 20 days. Blood samples were taken from ear lobes through 24 gauge canula for liver enzymes at days 1, 10 and 20 and analyzed in ISRA Laboratory. Mean and standard deviation were calculated and p-value <0.05 was taken as significant. The data was entered and analyzed by using SPSS version 16. Results: There was no rise in liver enzymes in group A at any stage of the study. Liver enzymes ALT, AST, GGT, ALP and LDH markedly increased in group B in initial 10 days but declined in next 10 days. There was no significant rise in liver enzymes in group C at any level of the study. Conclusion: Syzygium aromaticum is an effective natural hepatoprotective agent